List of South Africans

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This is a list of notable South Africans with Wikipedia articles.

Contents

Academics, Medical and Scientists

Mariam Seedat, sociologist and gender advocate (1970 - )
Estian Calitz, academic (1949 - )
Clement Martyn Doke, linguist (1893 - 1980)
Allan McLeod Cormack, physicist (1924 - 1998)
Abraham Manie Adelstein, UK Chief Medical Statistician (1916 - 1992)
Christiaan Barnard, pioneering heart surgeon (1922 - 2001)
Peter Beighton, geneticist (1934 - )
Sydney Brenner, biologist (1927 - )
Thebe Medupe, astrophysicist
Calie Pistorius, academic and Principal of the University of Pretoria
Basil Schonland, physicist (1896 - 1927)
James Leonard Brierley Smith, ichthyologist (1897 - 1968)

Artist

Actors, Playwrights, TV and Radio personalties

Alan Khan, radio personality (1971 - )
Lev David, writer and media consultant (1980 - )
Trevor Denman, horse racing announcer
Ronald Harwood, playwright and writer (1934 - )
Athol Fugard, playwright (1932 - )
John Kani, actor, entertainer and writer
Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, talk show host, public speaker and businesswoman
Jeremy Mansfield, radio and TV personality
Mbongeni Ngema, playwright, actor, choreographer and director
Basil Rathbone, actor, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes (1892-1967)
Leon Schuster, filmmaker, comedian, actor and prankster
Anthony Sher, actor, author and painter (1949 - )
Mthuli ka Shezi, playwright and political activist ( - 1972)
William Smith, TV teacher and presenter
Janet Suzman, actress (1939 - )
Charlize Theron, actress (1975 - )
Pieter Dirk Uys political satirist and entertainer
Jamie Uys, film Director (1921 - 1996)

Authors, Editors, Poets and Journalists

See also: List of South African writers

Herman Charles Bosman, author (1905 - 1951)
Roy Campbell, poet (1901 - 1957)
John Michael Coetzee, author (1940 - )
K. Sello Duiker, novelist (1974-2005)
Jakob Daniël du Toit, poet aka Totius (1877 - 1953)
Elisabeth Eybers, poet ( - )
Arthur Goldstuck, journalist (1959 - )
Nadine Gordimer, 1991 Nobel Prize-winning author (1923 - )
John Tengo Jabavu, political activist and newspaper editor (1859 - 1921)
Ingrid Jonker, poet (1933 - 1965)
Aggrey Klaaste, journalist and editor
Antjie Krog, poet, novelist and playwright
Laurence Lerner, poet (1925-)
David Robert Lewis, (1968-) writer, editor and playwright.
Eugène Nielen Marais, lawyer, naturalist, poet and writer (1871 - 1936)
Dalene Matthee, author (1938 - 2005)
Gcina Mhlope, storyteller, author, playwright, director, actor (1959 - )
Phaswane Mpe, novelist (1970 - 2004)
Alan Paton, author (1903 - 1988)
Sol Plaatje, journalist and political activist (1877 - 1932)
Olive Schreiner, author (1855 - 1920)
J. R. R. Tolkien, author (1892 - 1973)
Donald Woods, journalist and anti-apartheid activist (1933 - 2001)
Rachel Zadok, London-based South African writer (1972- )

Musicians

See: List of South African musicians

Artists, Cartoonist and Painters

Jeff Chandler, artist (1947 - 2000)
T.O. Honiball, cartoonist (1905-1990)
Neville Lewis, artist (1895 - 1972)
Rexon Mathebula, artist (1926 - )
Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef, artist
Gerard Sekoto, artist and musician (1913 - 1993)

Photographers

Kevin Carter, (1961 – 1994)
David Goldblatt, photographer (1930 - )

Business

Raymond Ackerman, businessman
David Brink, businessman (1939 - )
Basetsana Kumalo, former Miss South Africa, presenter and businesswoman
Sammy Marks, businessman ( - )
Patrice Motsepe, businessman (1962 - )
Elon Musk, Internet and space launch entrepreneur (1971 - )
Harry Oppenheimer, businessman (1908 - 2000)
Mamphela Ramphele, political activist, academic, businesswoman and mother to the son of Steve Biko
Cyril Ramaphosa, politician and businessman
Cecil Rhodes, businessman (1853 - 1902)
Anton Rupert, businessman (1916 - 2006)
Johann Rupert, businessman, son of Anton Rubert
Tokyo Sexwale, politician and businessman
Mark Shuttleworth, Web entrepreneur, founder of Thawte and Ubuntu Linux, astronaut (1973 - )

Legal

Lourens Ackermann, constitutional court judge (1934 - )
George Bizos, lawyer
Arthur Chaskalson, judge (1931 - )
Harold Hanson, advocate QC (1904 - 1973)
Bram Fischer, advocate QC and political activist
Richard Goldstone, ex-constitutional court judge

Political

Activists and trade unionists

Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist
Neil Aggett, political activist and trade unionist († 1982)
Jeremy Baskin, trade unionist (1956 - )
Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946 - 1977)
Chris Hani, political activist (1942 - 1993)
Ahmed Kathrada, political activist
Adolph Malan, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910 - 1963)
Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki
Fatima Meer, scientist and political activist
Elias Motsoaledi, political activist (1924 - 1994)
Victoria Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1942 - 1985)
Lilian Ngoyi, anti-apartheid activist (1911 - 1980)
Rachel Simons, communist and trade unionist (1914 - 2004)
Albertina Sisulu, political activist and wife of Walter Sisulu (1919 - )
Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912 - 2003)
Robert Sobukwe, political activist (1924 - 1978)
Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917 - 1993)
Eugène Terre'Blanche, right wing activist
Richard Turner, academic and political activist

Leaders and Politicians

Ken Andrew, politician (1943 - )
Kader Asmal, an activist, politician and professor of human rights (1934 -)
Sibusiso Bengu, politician (1934 - )
Thozamile Botha, politician (1948 - )
Cheryl Carolus, politician (1958 - )
Piet Cronje, boer general and commander-in-chief the South African Republic's military forces (1840 - 1911)
Yusuf Dadoo, doctor and politician
Patricia de Lille, politician
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, politician
De Villiers Graaff, leader of United Party ( 1913 - 1999)
Danny Jordaan, politician and soccer administrator
Tony Leon, politician (1956 - )
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician and 2nd wife of Nelson Mandela (1936 - )
Magnus Malan, minister of defence and chief of the South African Defence Force (1930 - )
Trevor Manuel, minister of finance
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, current deputy president (1955 - )
Gagathura (Monty) Mohambry Naicker, medical doctor and politician (1910 - 1978)
Bulelani Ngcuka, politician
Dullah Omar, politician
Andries Pretorius, Boer leader and commandant-general (1799 - 1853)
Deneys Reitz, boer commando, former deputy Prime Minister and South African High Commissioner to London (1882 - 1944)
*Mbhazima Shilowa, trade unionist and premier (1958 - )
Joe Slovo, politician (1926 - 1995)
Helen Suzman, politician (1917 - )
Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, politician
Helen Zille, current mayor of Cape Town
Jacob Zuma, former deputy president (1942 - )

Prime Ministers and Presidents

Jacobus Boshoff, 2nd President of the Orange Free State (1808 - 1881)
Louis Botha, Boer commander-in-chief and 1st Prime Minister of South Africa (1862 - 1919)
Pieter Willem Botha, 9th and last Prime Minister and 8th State President of South Africa (1916 - )
Johannes Henricus Brand, 4th President of the Orange Free State
Thomas Francois Burgers, 4th President of South African Republic (1871 - 1877)
Frederik Willem de Klerk, 9th and last State President of South Africa and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner (1936 - )
Christiaan Rudolph de Wet, Boer general and acting President of the Orange Free State
Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs, 4th State President of South Africa (1903 - 1978)
Jacobus Johannes Fouché, 3rd State President of South Africa (1898 - 1980)
James Barry Munnik Hertzog, Boer general and 3rd Prime Minister of South Africa (1866 - 1942)
Josias Hoffman, 1st President of the Orange Free State
Petrus Jacobus Joubert, Boer general and member of the Troika in the South African Republic
Paul Kruger, member of the Troika, 5th and last President of South African Republic (1825 - 1904)
Daniel François Malan, 5th Prime Minister of South Africa and is responsible for laying the groundwork for Apartheid (1874 - 1959)
Nelson Mandela, 1st President of South Africa and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner (1918 - )
Thabo Mbeki, 2nd and current President of South Africa (1942 - )
Jozua François Naudé, 2nd State President of South Africa
Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, 3rd President of the Orange Free State, 1st and 3rd President of the South African Republic (1819 - 1901)
Francis William Reitz, 5th President of the Orange Free State (1844 - 1934)
Jan Smuts, Boer general, British field marshal, 2nd and 4th Prime Minister of South Africa (1870 - 1950)
Johannes Strijdom, 6th Prime Minister of South Africa (1893 - 1958)
Martinus Theunis Steyn, 6th and last President of the Orange Free State (1857 - 1916)
Charles Robberts Swart, last Governor-General of the Union of South Africa and the 1st State President of the Republic of South Africa (1894 - 1982)
Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, 7th Prime Minister of South Africa and primary architect of Apartheid (1901 - 1966)
Marais Viljoen, 5th and 7th State President of South Africa (1915 - )
Balthazar Johannes Vorster, 8th Prime Minister and 6th State President of South Africa (1915 - 1983)

Royalty

Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu, 8th and current king of the Zulu nation (1948 - )
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, politician and a Zulu prince (1928 - )
Dinizulu kaCetshwayo, 5th Zulu king (1868 - 1913)
Solomon kaDinizulu, 6th Zulu king (1891 - 1933)
uZibhebhu kaMaphitha, Zulu prince and chief (1841 - 1904)
Khetoane Modjadji, Balobedu's 3th Rain Queen (1869 - 1959)
Makoma Modjadji, Balobedu's 4th Rain Queen (1905 - 1980)
Mokope Modjadji, Balobedu's 5th Rain Queen (1936 - 2001)
Makobo Modjadji, Balobedu's 6th Rain Queen (1978 - 2005)
Mpande, 3rd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1798 - 1872)
Cetshwayo kaMpande, 4th Zulu king (1826 - 1884)
Dingane kaSenzangakhona, 2nd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1795 - 1840)
Shaka, founder of the Zulu nation (1787 - 1828)
Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, 7th Zulu king (1924 - 1968)

Prelates

Stephanus Jacobus du Toit, cleric, pioneer of the recognition of the Afrikaans language and one of the founder members of the Genootskap vir Regte Afrikaners (1847 - 1911)
Albert Luthuli, cleric, politician and 1960 Nobel Peace Prize winner († 1967)
Charlotte Maxeke, religious leader and political activist (1874 - 1939)
Beyers Naudé, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1915 - 2004)
Desmond Tutu, cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner

Sport

Athletics

Okkert Brits, pole-vaulter (1973 - )
Zola Budd, marathon and long-distance runner (1966 - )
Bruce Fordyce, ultra-marathon runner
Jacques Freitag, high jumper (1982 - )
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, middle distance runner (1980 - )

Boxing

"Baby" Jakes Matlala, junior flyweight champion
Mzukisi Sikali (1971 - 2005)
Mike Bernardo, boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial arts fighter
Francois Botha

Cricket

Shafiek Abrahams, right-arm spin bowler (1968 - )
Paul Adams, left-arm spin bowler (1977 - )
Adam Bacher, right-handed batsman (1973 - )
Ali Bacher, right-handed batsman and administrator (1942 - )
Edgar John Barlow, right-arm fast bowler and coach (1940 - 2005)
Nicky Boje, all-rounder (1973 - )
Tertius Bosch, right-arm fast bowler (1966 - 2000)
Johan Botha, right-arm spin bowler (1982 - )
Mark Boucher, wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman (1976 - )
David Callaghan, all-rounder (1965 - )
Jimmy Cook, right-handed batsman (1953 - )
Hansie Cronje, Proteas captain, all-rounder (1969 - 2002)
Daryll Cullinan, right-handed batsman (1967 - )
Basil D'Oliveira, right-handed batsman (1931 - )
Alan Dawson, right-arm fast medium bowler (1969 - )
Abraham de Villiers, wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman (1984 - )
Fanie de Villiers, right-arm fast medium bowler (1964 - )
Matthew Dennington, cricketer (1982 - )
Boeta Dippenaar, right-handed batsman (1977 - )
Allan Donald, right-arm fast bowler (1966 - )
Jean-Paul Duminy, left-handed batsman (1984 - )
Clive Eksteen, left-arm spin bowler (1966 - )
Steve Elworthy, right-arm fast medium bowler (1965 - )
Herschelle Gibbs, right-handed batsman (1974 - )
Tony Greig, right-handed batsman and commentator (1946 - )
Andrew Hall, all-rounder (1975 - )
Nantie Hayward, right-arm fast bowler (1977 - )
Claude Henderson, left-arm spin bowler (1972 - )
Omar Henry, left-arm spin bowler (1952 - )
Andrew Hudson, right-handed opening batsman (1952 - )
Martin van Jaarsveld, right-handed batsman (1974 - )
Steven Jack, right-arm fast medium bowler (1970 - )
Jacques Kallis, all-rounder (1975 - )
Chad Keegan, cricketer (1979 - )
Justin Kemp, all-rounder (1977 - )
Jon Kent, cricketer (1979 - )
Gary Kirsten, left-handed opening batsman (1967 - )
Peter Kirsten, right-handed batsman (1955 - )
Lance Klusener, all-rounder (1971 - )
Garnett Kruger, right-arm fast medium bowler (1977 - )
Adrian Kuiper, all-rounder (1959 - )
Charl Langeveldt, right-arm fast medium bowler (1974 - )
Gerhardus Liebenberg, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1972 - )
Allan Lamb, right-hand batsman (1954 - )
Craig Matthews, right-arm fast medium bowler (1965 - )
Neil McKenzie, right-handed batsman (1975 - )
Brian McMillan, all-rounder (1963 - )
Albie Morkel, right-handed batsman (1981 - )
Victor Mpitsang, right-arm fast medium bowler (1980 - )
Andre Nel, fast bowler (1977 - )
Makhaya Ntini, fast bowler (1977 - )
Justin Ontong, right-arm spin bowler (1980 - )
Robin Peterson, left-arm spin bowler (1979 - )
Kevin Pietersen, right-handed batsman (1980 - )
Shaun Pollock, Proteas captain, fast-medium bowler (1973 - )
Nic Pothas, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1973 - )
Ashwell Prince, left-handed batsman (1977 - )
Meyrick Pringle, right-arm fast medium swing bowler (1966 - )
Andrew Puttick, cricketer (1980 - )
Jonty Rhodes, right-handed batsman (1969 - )
Clive Rice, all-rounder (1949 - )
David Richardson, right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper (1959 - )
Jacques Rudolph, left-handed batsman (1981 - )
Mark Rushmere, right-handed batsman (1965 - )
Brett Schultz, left-arm fast bowler (1970 - )
Graeme Smith, Proteas captain, batsman (1981 - )
Greg Smith, cricketer (1971 - )
Richard Snell, right-arm fast medium bowler (1968 - )
Errol Stewart, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1969 - )
Dale Steyn, right-arm fast bowler (1983 - )
Rudi Steyn, cricketer (1967 - )
Andrew Strauss, cricketer (1977 - )
Pieter Strydom, cricketer (1969 - )
Pat Symcox, right-arm spin bowler (1960 - )
Roger Telemachus, right-arm fast medium bowler (1973 - )
David Terbrugge, right-arm fast medium bowler (1977 - )
Kepler Wessels, Proteas captain, left-handed batsman (1957 - )
Henry Williams, right-arm fast medium bowler (1967 - )
Charl Willoughby, cricketer (1974 - )
Mandy Yachad, cricketer (1960 - )
Monde Zondeki, right-arm fast bowler (1982 - )

Golf

Motorsport

Jody Scheckter, Formula One world champion (1950 - )

Rugby

Bakkies Botha, lock (1979 - )
Naas Botha, flyhalf and TV presenter (1958 - )
Schalk Burger, flank (1983 - )
Danie Craven, rugby player and administrator (1910 - 1994)
Thinus Delport, rugby player (1975 - )
Jean de Villiers, centre and wing (1981 - )
Frik du Preez, rugby player (1935 - )
Os du Randt, prop (1972 - )
Bryan Habana, wing (1983 - )
Marius Joubert, centre (1979 - )
Piet Malan, rugby player (1919 - )
Nick Mallett, rugby coach (1956 - )
Victor Matfield, lock (1977 - )
Percy Montgomery, fullback (1974 - )
Breyton Paulse, wing (1976 - )
Francois Pienaar, Springbok captain, flank (1967 - )
Paul Roos, first Springbok captain
Brent Russell, fullback (1980 - )
Bobby Skinstad, flank (1976 - )
John Smit, hooker (1978 - )
Rudolph Straeuli, flank and coach (1963 - )
Joel Stransky, flyhalf and TV presenter (1967 - )
Gary Teichmann, Springbok captain, eighth-man (1967 - )
Joost van der Westhuizen, scrumhalf (1971 - )
Jaco van der Westhuyzen, flyhalf (1978 - )
Fritz van Heerden, lock (1970 - )
Joe van Niekerk, flank (1980 - )
Jake White, current Springbok coach (1963 - )
Chester Williams, wing and coach (1970 - )

Soccer

Shaun Bartlett, striker (1972 - )
Doctor Khumalo, midfielder
Benni McCarthy, striker (1977 - )
Lucas Radebe, Bafana Bafana captain, defender
Jomo Sono, midfielder and coach

Swimming

Natalie du Toit, disabled swimmer
Lyndon Ferns
Penny Heyns, breaststroke, Olympic gold medallist
Ryk Neethling, freestyle, Olympic gold medallist
Roland Mark Schoeman, freestyle, Olympic gold medallist
Darian Townsend, Olympic gold medallist
Charlene Wittstock

Tennis

Kevin Curren (1958 - )
Cliff Drysdale, player and television commentator (1941 - )
Johan Kriek (1958 - )

Other

Denise Darvall donor for the first human heart transplant
Nkosi Johnson, child who died of HIV/AIDS (1989 - 2001)
Hector Pieterson, young boy whose death became a symbol of the Soweto riots (1964 - 1976)
Mrs. Ples, homonid fossil (born circa 2.6 to 2.8 million years ago)
Rosenkowitz sextuplets, first known set of sextuplets to survive their infancy (1974 - )
Louis Washkansky recipient of first human heart transplant